Hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes based on ecdysteroids

ABSTRACT

PCT No. PCT/FR89/00507 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 22, 1991 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 22, 1991 PCT Filed Oct. 2, 1989 PCT Pub. No. WO90/03778 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 19, 1990.Compositions based on hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes are disclosed containing at least in part at least one ecdysteroid or ecdysteroid derivative, in particular ecdysterone, or a plant or animal extract containing the said ecdysteroid or ecdysteroid derivative. Cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared as well as compositions for sericulture or a phytosanitary composition.

The present invention relates essentially to compositions based onhydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes containing an ecdysteroid,preferably ecdysterone, or one of its derivatives; and cosmetic,pharmaceutical, in particular dermatological, phytosanitary compositionsor compositions for sericulture incorporating it.

The ecdysteroids are a group of 2,3,14-trihydroxy-Δ-7-6-ketosteroids.Mention may be made of α-ecdysone or (2β,3β,14α-22/R/,25-pentahydroxy-7-cholesten-6-one); 2-deoxyecdysone or (3β,14β,22/R/,25-tetrahydroxy-5β-7-cholesten-6-one), ecdysterone or β-ecdysone or2β,3β,14,20β,22,25-hexahydroxy-7-cholesten-6-one; β-ecdysone-22-acetateor 20-hydroxyecdysone-22-acetate or7-cholesten-2β,3β,14,20,22/R/,25-hexol-6-one-22-acetate;5-hydroxyecdysterone or 5β,7-cholesten-2β,3β,5,14,20,22/R/25-heptahydroxy-6-one; β-2-deoxyecdysone or3β,14,20,22/R/25-pentahydroxy-5β,7-cholesten-6-one. The ecdysteroids,and in particular ecdysterone (in some cases called β-ecdysone or evencrustecdysone) are well known in the literature and cited in the MerckIndex, 10th edition, 1983, page 505, No. 3 470.

It is known that the ecdysteroids, and in particular ecdysterone, playan important role both in insects in the animal kingdom and in the plantkingdom. In insects, these hormones play a key role in growth andreproduction. Ecdysterone is implicated in particular in the variousmetamorphoses up to the formation of the adult insect (see CNRSpublication: Biologie 1990, "Enjeux et Problematiques" by A. Berkaloffet al.).

In plants, the activity of these substances has not been completelyelucidated. They seem to act on flowering (CIENCIA e Cultura (1980),volume 32, No. 10, pages 1384-1390).

Furthermore, the use of hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes incosmetic or pharmaceutical, in particular dermatological compositions,in which various active ingredients are incorporated, is already known(FR-A-2 540 381).

It has now been discovered, in a quite surprising and unexpected manner,that the incorporation of an ecdysteroid, preferably ecdysterone, or aderivative of the said ecdysteroid, or a plant or animal extractcontaining the said ecdysteroid or ecdysteroid derivative, at least inpart in hydrated lipidic lamellar phase or in liposomes, causes anexacerbated activity of this substance or this extract. This relates inaddition, and also in a completely unexpected manner, to all knownactivities of the ecdysteroid previously mentioned or an extractcontaining the latter. An even more radical improvement of activity wasobserved with respect to the activity of regeneration of the cutaneousstructure and of anti-aging activity.

Consequently, a synergistic effect is obtained by the incorporation ofan ecdysteroid, preferably ecdysterone or an ecdysteroid derivative or aplant or animal extract containing the said ecdysteroid at least in partin hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or in liposomes.

Thus, the aim of the present invention is to resolve the novel technicalproblem consisting in the provision of a new formulation ofecdysteroid(s), preferably ecdysterone or a derivative of the saidecdysteroid, or a plant or animal extract containing the saidecdysteroid, making it possible to potentiate its efficacy so as toallow its use in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, in particular dermatological,compositions as well as in compositions for sericulture andphytosanitary compositions.

The present invention solves this novel technical problem satisfactorilyfor the first time.

Thus, in accordance with a first feature, the present invention providesa composition based on hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes,characterized in that the said hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or thesaid liposomes contain at least in part at least one ecdysteroid or anecdysteroid derivative, or a plant or animal extract containing the saidecdysteroid or a derivative of the said ecdysteroid.

According to a particular embodiment, the above-mentioned ecdysteroid isecdysterone, or a derivative of ecdysterone, in particular an acylated,hydroxylated or deoxy derivative of the latter.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention,the derivative of ecdysterone is selected from the group consisting ofβ-ecdysone-2-acetate, β-ecdysone-3-acetate, β-ecdysone-2,3-diacetate,β-ecdysone-2,3,22-triacetate, β-ecdysone-2,3,22,25-tetraacetate5-hydroxyecdysterone and 2-deoxyecdysterone.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the abovementionedecdysteroid is §-ecdysone or one of its derivatives, in particular anacetate.

In accordance with another particular characteristic of the invention,the above-mentioned animal or plant extract containing the ecdysteroid,preferably ecdysterone, is an extract of Polypodium vulgare, Ajugadecumbens or Cyanotis arachnoidea.

In accordance with another particular characteristic of the invention,the ecdysteroid or its derivative is incorporated at least in part inthe lipidic phase of hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes.

In the present description and the Claims, the term "lipidic" in theexpression "lipidic phase" or "lipidic lamellar phase" covers all of thesubstances containing a so-called fatty carbon chain, usually of morethan 5 carbon atoms.

According to the invention, amphiphilic lipids are used, i.e. thoseconstituted of molecules possessing an ionic or non-ionic hydrophilicgroup and a lipophilic group, these amphiphilic lipids being capable offorming lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes in the presence of anaqueous phase. In particular, among these lipids we should mention: thephospholipids, the phosphoaminolipids, the glycolipids, thepolyoxyethylene fatty alcohols, the polyol esters, optionallypolyoxyethylenated. Such substances are, for example, constituted by eggwhite or soya lecithin, a phosphatidylserine, a sphingomyelin, aceramide, a cerebroside or a polyglyceroloxyethylenated stearate.

In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, theconcentration of the ecdysteroid is included between 0.001 and 30% byweight of the said lipidicphase and preferably between 0.01 and 10% byweight of the lipidic phase.

The preparation of the hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomescontaining at least in part at least one ecdysteroid according to theinvention may be performed according to one of the known procedures forincorporating active substances, in particular steroids, into hydratedlipidic lamellar phases or liposomes.

The simplest procedure is that described by Bangham in J. Mol. Biol.(1965) 13, p. 238-252, which consists of dissolving the lipids in avolatile organic solvent, then of evaporating the solvent in a rotatingflask so as to obtain a thin film of lipids on the inside of therotating flask, then water is added to the rotating flask which, onshaking, gives rise to a suspension of liposomes. An improvement in thisprocedure consists of using ultrasonics to homogenize the liposomesobtained.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, aprocedure for the atomization of the constituents of the lipidic phaseis used, this atomization being followed by a dispersion in an aqeousmedium, then optionally by homogenization under pressure, in conformitywith the procedures described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,703 and U.S. Pat.No. 4,621,023 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,023.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, theecdysteroid or its derivative or a plant or animal extract containing itis incorporated into the lipidic phase. Thus, before atomization, theecdysteriod or its derivative or an extract containing it, with theconstituents of the lipidic phase is dissolved in an organic solutioncontaining at least one amphiphilic lipid such as soya lecithin and,optionally, a lipophilic hydrophobic compound such as cholesterol orβ-sitosterol. The solvent is preferably selected from dichloromethane,chloroform or methanol, or one of their mixtures.

The organic solution may advantageously contain an anti-oxidant such asα-tocopherol.

The lipid powder obtained is dispersed in a suitable aqueous medium, forexample a PBS buffer solution, a glucose solution or a solution ofsodium chloride.

In this way are obtained slightly hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or asolution of liposomes depending on whether it has been chosen todisperse the lipid powder in relatively little, i.e. from about 50% toabout 90%, or much, i.e. more than 90%, of the aqueous phase as is setout in the patent previously mentioned (U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,703).

In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention,particularly in the case of a liposome composition, after thecomposition obtained has optionally been homogenized, the compositionsof hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes are gelled by beingmixed with a gel such as a gel of vinyl polymer, in particular thatmarketed under the trade name Carbopol® 940. This gelling procedure isalso described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,703, in particular in theexamples.

The ecdysteroids or their derivatives, preferably ecdysterone or itsderivatives, are obtained in an isolated form, or in the form of anextract made from any available natural source or also made by aprocedure of chemical synthesis. The main natural sources ofecdysteroids are insects and, especially, a large number of plants. Acertain number of synthetic procedure has also been developed.

Extraction from Insects

The amount of ecdysteroids, in particular α or β-ecdysone, present ininsects is extremely low. In the moth Bombyx mori it is, for example,5.10⁻⁶ % by weight of the insect (see A. Butenandt et al., Z.Naturforsch. B., 9, 389, (1954)).

The extraction of ecdysteroids from insects thus cannot usuallyconstitute an industrial isolation procedure.

However, in the Hunger-Ricci patent CH-A-478 565, the extraction ofecdysterone from nymphs or chrysalids and destined for the preparationof cosmetic compositions, is described.

Extraction from Plants

The concentration of ecdysteroids, in particular ecdysterones, variesfrom one variety to another. For example, the concentration ofecdysterone is 0.025% in the seeds of Achyranthes aspera, 0.35% in theplant Sesuvium portulacastrum, and from 1.2% to 2.9% in Cyanotisarachnoidea depending on whether the entire plant or the roots are used.The percentages are percentages by weight of dry material.

Among the plants which may possibly be used for the extraction of theecdysteroids, in particular ecdysterone, mention may be made of:Serratula sogdiana and Rhaponticum integrifolium, which offer theadvantage that they can be cultivated (see Horticultural Abs.OCO51-01546 with reference to Rastitel'nye Resursy, (1980), volume 16,No. 2, pages 193-198 (in Russia).

Extractions from the following may also be mentioned:

Serratula tinctoria (HUT-029 390);

Serratula inermis (SU-1 146 050);

Achyranthes fauriei, amaranthacea, (FR-1 525 385);

Cyathula (FR-1 525 385);

Ajuga decumbens (JP-46-014 665);

Pfaffia iresinoides (Derwent 88-045806 or JP-63 002 928);

Pfaffia paniculata (Derwent 84-052423 or JP-59-010 600);

Polypodium vulgare (J. JIZBA et al. Tetrahedron Letters, (1967), page1689, U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,777, CS 131 136);

Kaladana seed (DE-2 201 991);

Ipomea petaloidea (DE-2 834 703);

Silenes (HUT 029 390 and SU 924 051);

Cyanotis arachnoidea (C.A. 89-176352 with reference to the publicationby NIEN SCHUI LIN et al. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA, 1978, volume 36, No. 2,pages 137-141 (in Chinese)).

These sources of ecdysteroids are given in a non-limiting sense and arenot exhaustive.

Some extracts may also contain acetylated derivatives, in addition toecdysterone (C.A. 89-176352).

It is also possible to obtain the ecdysteroids according to theinvention by chemical synthesis (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.3,354,152, U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,154, U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,549, U.S. Pat.No. 3,455,905, FR-1 494 371; U.S. Pat. No. 3,440,241; FR-1 524 924; andFR-A-1 498 237).

An example of the general procedure for the extraction of ecdysteroids,preferably ecdysterone, from plants is described in Chem. Pharm. Bull.(1969) 17 (2) 340-2 by S. Imai et al.

The fresh plant is macerated in 5 times its weight of methanol, it ishomogenized and filtered. This operation is repeated. The extracts areconcentrated, and water is added to give a 30% methanol-water solution.

This solution is extracted with hexane. The 30% methanolic fraction isconcentrated again and extracted with ethyl acetate. The aqueousfraction is extracted with n-butanol. The butanol extract is thenconcentrated by evaporation, and subjected to chromatography on silicagel using a chloroform-methanol mixture. After recrystallization from anethanol-ethyl acetate mixture, ecdysterone is thus obtained in the formof colorless needles.

Furthermore, a number of ecdysteroids are commercially available. Forexample, ecdysterone, 5-hydroxyecdysterone, 2-deoxyecdysterone,ecdysterone 22-acetate, α-ecdysone and 2-deoxy-α-ecdysone are availablefrom SIGMA under the catalogue numbers SIGMA H 5142, SIGMA P 9531, SIGMAD 7775, SIGMA H 5267, SIGMA E 9004, SIGMA D 7900.

The compositions according to the invention previously described,containing an ecdysteroid, preferably ecdysterone, or its derivatives ina form at least in part incorporated in hydrated lipidic lamellar phasesor in liposomes find many uses.

Thus, according to a second feature of the invention, the inventionrelates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical, in particular dermatological,composition characterized in that it comprises a composition based onhydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes like those previouslydefined, containing at least in part at least one ecdysteroid orecdysteroid derivative or a plant or animal extract containing the saidecdysteroid or ecdysteroid derivative.

Thus, the use in cosmetics and pharmacy of ecdysteroids relates inparticular to anti-aging products, in particular anti-wrinkle products,after-sun regenerative products, tonic products for the hair,cicatrizing products designed to treat in particular wounds, sores,varicose ulcers or burns, anti-stretch mark products, products designedto improve the resistance of the walls of the blood vessels.

In addition, in pharmacy these substances have a hypoglycemic, lipidlowering and anti-atherosclerosis, analgesic action. Ecdysterone is alsoused for the preparation of anti-parasitic vaccines, in particularagainst bilharziosis, and to prepare anti-viral agents.

The concentration by weight of the ecdysteroid or its derivatives in thesaid composition is preferably included between 0.001 and 5%, and morepreferably between 0.05 and 1% with respect to the total weight of thecomposition.

In accordance with a third feature, the present invention also relatesto a composition for sericulture, characterized in that it comprises acomposition according to the invention based on hydrated lipidiclamellar phases or liposomes containing at least in part at least oneecdysteroid or an ecdysteroid derivative or a plant or animal extractcontaining the said ecdysteroid or ecdysteroid derivative.

The concentration by weight of the ecdysteroid or its derivatives inthis composition for sericulture is the standard concentration and willusually be included between 0.0001 and 1%, and preferably between 0.0005and 0.01% with respect to the total weight of the composition.

The use of ecdysterone in sericulture is known as factor ofmetamorphosis in order to increase the yield of silk production by theworm of Bombyx mori (see FR-A-2 212 094, JP 46-014 665; JP 45-037 554).

Thus, the compositions according to the invention may be used byspraying onto the larvae of the silkworm or incorporated into theirfood.

In accordance with a fourth feature, the invention also relates to aphytosanitary composition, characterized in that it comprises acomposition according to the invention based on hydrated lipidiclamellar phases or liposomes containing at least in part at least oneecdysteroid or an ecdysteroid derivative or a plant or animal extractcontaining the said ecdysteroid or ecdysteroid derivative

The concentration used will also be the usual concentration, usuallyincluded between 0.0001 and 5% by weight, and preferably between 0.0005and 1% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.

The use of the ecdysones for the production of insecticides ornematocides is known from NL-A-67 10529, JP 47-003550; DE-2 201 991;FR-A-1 498 238; CS-131 136.

In all of these uses, the incorporation at least in part of oneecdysteroid, preferably ecdysterone, in hydrated lipidic lamellar phasesor in liposomes provides an unexpected increase in the activity of thesesubstances with respect to their activity in the free state.

Thus, this constitutes quite unexpected, decisive technical progress forthe person skilled in the art.

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent in the light of the explanatory description which follows madewith reference to several examples of the embodiment of the inventiongiven simply as illustrations and which thus in no way limit the scopeof the invention.

Unless indicated otherwise, the percentages in the examples are given byweight.

EXAMPLE 1 ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION Preparation of Liposomes ContainingEcdysterone

0.25 g of commercial ecdysterone, 4.5 g of soya lecithin and 0.5 g ofβ-sitosterol are dissolved in a dichloromethane-methanol mixture 4:1.This solution is evaporated under reduced pressure (about 200 mm ofmercury) in a rotating flask warmed to 45° C. The lipid form obtained istaken up in 199.75 g of an aqueous solution containing 0.2 g/l ofmonopotassium phosphate and 1.44 g/l of disodium phosphate with stirringfor 1 h.

A suspension of liposomes is thus obtained which is subjected tohomogenization by means of ultrasonics (15 min, 150 W, 4° C.). Thissuspension is then gelled by mixing it with an equal weight ofCarbopol®940 gel, prepared in the standard manner at 1.25%.

250 g of a gelled composition based on liposomes are thus obtained, theecdysterone content of which is 0.1%.

EXAMPLES 2 AND 3 ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION Preparation of HydratedLipidic Lamellar Phases Containing Ecdysterone as well as Ecdysterone22-Acetate

The following compounds are dissolved in 300 ml of dichloromethane:

    ______________________________________                                        soya lecithin      36.0 g                                                     tocopherol         0.5 g                                                      β-sitosterol  4.0 g                                                      ecdysterone*       0.3 g                                                      ecdysterone-22-acetate*                                                                          0.2 g                                                      ______________________________________                                         *commercial                                                              

The solution obtained is sprayed according to the procedure described inthe patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,703 at 55° C. so as to produce anintimate mixture of the constituents in the form of a fine powder. 20 gof the sprayed lipid powder thus obtained are then dispersed in 80 g ofan aqueous solution such as that described in example 1 with the aid ofa roller mill.

A slightly hydrated lipidic lamellar phase with about 0.24% ofecdysteroids is thus obtained (example 2).

A further 15 g of sprayed lipid powder are dispersed in 485 g of theaqueous solution previously mentioned with gentle stirring for 2 h. Anaqueous suspension of very hydrated lamellar phases or liposomes is thusobtained which can be homogenized, for example, by means of a pressurehomogenizer as described in the patent EP-B1-0 107 559. The homogenizedsuspension obtained (example 3) contains liposomes with a mean diameterof 100 nm.

The ecdysteroid content is about 0.04% by weight of the aqueoussuspension.

EXAMPLE 4 ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION Demonstration of the Activity ofthe Compositions According to the Invention on the Regeneration ofCutaneous Structure

The activity of the compositions according to the invention on theregeneration of cutaneous structure was demonstrated in the rat by atest of the rapidity of scar formation at a cutaneous lesion.

50 hairless male rats, weighing about 250 g, are divided into 5 groupsof 10 animals, one of which is the control group without treatment.

A lesion is made on each animal under Pentobarbital sodium anesthesiawith the aid of a metal probe 13 mm in diameter cooled with liquidnitrogen and applied to the skin in the scapular region for 15 seconds.

The animals of 4 groups are then treated 5 days out of 7 at the site ofthe lesion by 0.5 ml of the product to be tested.

The groups 1 to 4 are treated respectively with the following products Ato D;

Product A: suspension of liposomes according to the invention accordingto example 1 with 0.1% of ecdysterone

Product B: 0.625% Carbopol 940® gel containing 0.1% of free ecdysterone,comparative

Product C: 0.625% Carbopol 940® gel, comparative

Product D: suspension of liposomes prepared according to example 1, butwithout the incorporation of ecdysterone, comparative

Every day at the time of the administration, the animals are observed tocheck the development of the scab formed on the lesion.

The disappearance of this scab determines the end of experimentation andthe time of sacrifice of the animals, whose skin is removed for thehistological study of the region treated.

The time elapsed between the beginning of treatment with the products tobe tested and the disappearance of the scab is recorded in days.

The number of days of scar formation for each group is the arithmeticmean for each animal treated. Each mean is compared with the others bythe Student t test. The numerical results are shown in table I.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                                          Mean (days)                                                 Group             Standard                                                    No.   Product     deviation  t test                                           ______________________________________                                        1     A           11:30      A/B  A/C  A/D  A/T                                     (invention)  3:50      3:35 2:05 5:23 3:43                                                           S    (S)  (HS  S                                 2     B           23:30           B/C  B/D  B/T                                     (comparative)                                                                             10:77           1:55 1:44 0:75                                                                NS   NS   NS                                3     C           16:80                C/D  C/T                                     (comparative)                                                                              7:73                3:19 2:07                                                                     S    NS                                4     D           30:30                     D/T                                     (comparative)                                                                             10:93                     0:47                                                                          NS                                5     Control     27:60                                                                         14:60                                                       ______________________________________                                    

These results show very clearly that the liposomes containing theecdysterone (product A) show a significantly or very significantlyhigher activity than the other products tested on cutaneous regenerationafter lesion. In particular, this superiority is very marked comparedwith the Carbopol gel containing an equal concentration of ecdysterone(product B).

Furthermore, the histological study of the scar zone gave the resultsshown in table II for the animals which have been treated with theproducts A or B.

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        Distribution of the animals according to the cicatrization reaction                           Intensity of the reaction                                     Group No.                                                                             Product       +++     ++     +   -                                    ______________________________________                                        1       A             0       3      5   2                                            (invention)                                                           2       B             1       1      1   7                                            (comparative)                                                         ______________________________________                                         Scoring scale:                                                                -: strong cicatrization reaction                                              +: moderate cicatrization reaction                                            ++: weak cicatrization reaction                                               +++: normal structures.                                                  

The cicatrization reaction is characterized by an acanthotic epidermiswith a disorganised basal layer, edema at the dermo-epidermal junction,the presence of many fibroblasts in the dermis.

Thus, the better the restructuring of the skin after lesion, the weakerthe cicatrization reaction.

Here again it seems clear that the product A (composition according tothe invention) exhibits a better restructuring activity than product B(free ecdysterone).

EXAMPLE 5 Dermatological Gel According to the Invention

The composition according to example 1 may be used as such as adermatological composition in the form of a gel.

This gel is used particularly in cases of burns, chapped skin or wounds,for a period of about 8 to 15 days and preferably twice a day.

It is particularly useful for speeding up the cicatrization of surgicalwounds and in particular in plastic surgery.

EXAMPLE 6 After-Sun Cosmetic Composition According to the Invention

After being mixed 50--50 (by weight) with a 2% Carbopol 940® gel, thegel composition according to example 3 may be used as a restorativecosmetic composition for solar elastosis and actinic aging.

In this case, this composition is preferably applied twice a day forthree weeks to the areas to be treated.

EXAMPLE 7 Cosmetic Cream According to the Invention to Combat theEffects of Aging

The composition of the cream is the following:

    ______________________________________                                        soya lecithin          1.95    g                                              β-sitosterol      0.05    g                                              ecdysteroids           0.2     g                                              (made up of:                                                                  ecdysterone*           0.12    g                                              ecdysterone-22-acetate*                                                                              0.08    g                                              excipients for the emulsion                                                   oil in water, +        qsp 100 g                                              preservatives + perfumes                                                      ______________________________________                                         *commercial                                                              

A suspension of liposomes according to example 3, on the one hand, andan oil-in-water emulsion based on squalane, on the other, are preparedseparately.

These two preparations are then mixed, for example by means of a helicalstirrer at moderate speed in a ratio of 1 volume of liposome suspensionto 5 volumes of emulsion.

The cream obtained applied daily to the face allows the skin to regainand maintain its youthful and sparkling appearance.

We claim:
 1. A composition comprising hydrated lipidic lamellar phasesor liposomes containing at least one ecdysteroid in a concentrationranging between 0.0001 and 5% by weight of the composition.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the ecdysteroid is selected from thegroup consisting of ecdysterone, an acylated ecdysterone, anhydroxylated ecdysterone, a deoxyecdysterone, α-ecdysone,2-deoxyecdysone and a β-ecdysone acetate.
 3. The composition of claim 1,wherein the ecdysteroid is selected from the group consisting ofecdysterone, β-ecdysone-2-acetate, β-ecdysone-3-acetate,β-ecdysone-2,3-diacetate, β-ecdysone-2,3,22-triacetate,β-ecdysone-2,3,22,25-tetraacetate, 5-hydroxyecdysterone, and2-deoxyecdysterone.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein theecdysteroid is ecdysterone.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein theecdysteroid is extracted from a plant selected from the group consistingof Polypodium vulgare, Ajuga decumbens, and Cyanotis arachnoidea.
 6. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the ecdysteroid is at least partiallyincorporated into the lipidic phase of the hydrated lipidic lamellarphases or liposomes.
 7. The composition of claim 6, wherein theconcentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between 0.001 and 30% by weightof said lipidic phase.
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein theconcentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between 0.001 and 5% by weightof the composition.
 9. The composition of claim 6, wherein theconcentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between 0.01 and 10% by weightof said lipidic phase.
 10. A cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositioncomprising hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes containing atleast one ecdysteroid in a concentration ranging between 0.001 and 5% byweight of the composition, in admixture with a cosmetically orpharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 11. The composition of claim 10,wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between 0.05 and 1%by weight of the composition.
 12. The composition of claim 10, whereinthe ecdysteroid is selected from the group consisting of ecdysterone, anacylated ecdysterone, an hydroxylated ecdysterone, a deoxyecdysterone,β-ecdysone, 2-deoxyecdysone and a β-ecdysone acetate.
 13. Thecomposition of claim 10, wherein the ecdysteroid is selected from thegroup consisting of ecdysterone, β-ecdysone-2-acetate,β-ecdysone-3-acetate, β-ecdysone-2,3-diacetate,β-ecdysone-2,3,22-triacetate, β-ecdysone-2,3,22,25-tetraacetate,5-hydroxyecdysterone, and 2-deoxyecdysterone.
 14. The composition ofclaim 10, wherein the ecdysteroid is ecdysterone.
 15. The composition ofclaim 10, wherein the ecdysteroid is extracted from a plant selectedfrom the group consisting of Polypodium vulgare, Ajuga decumbens, andCyanotis arachnoidea.
 16. The composition of claim 10, wherein theecdysteroid is at least partially incorporated into the lipidic phase ofthe hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes.
 17. The compositionof claim 16, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between0.001 and 30% by weight of said lipidic phase.
 18. The composition ofclaim 16, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between0.01 and 10% by weight of said lipidic phase.
 19. A composition forsericulture comprising hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomescontaining at least one ecdysteroid in a concentration ranging between0.0001 and 1% by weight of the composition.
 20. The composition of claim19, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between 0.0005and 0.01% by weight of the composition.
 21. The composition of claim 19,wherein the ecdysteroid is selected from the group consisting ofecdysterone, an acylated ecdysterone, an hydroxylated ecdysterone, adeoxyecdysterone, α-ecdysone, 2-deoxyecdysone and a β-ecdysone acetate.22. The composition of claim 19, wherein the ecdysteroid is selectedfrom the group consisting of ecdysterone, β-ecdysone-2-acetate,β-ecdysone-3-acetate, β-ecdysone-2,3-diacetate,β-ecdysone-2,3,22-triacetate, β-ecdysone-2,3,22,25-tetraacetate,5-hydroxyecdysterone, and 2-deoxyecdysterone.
 23. The composition ofclaim 19, wherein the ecdysteroid is ecdysterone.
 24. The composition ofclaim 19, wherein the ecdysteroid is extracted from a plant selectedfrom the group consisting of Polypodium vulgare, Ajuga decumbens, andCyanotis arachnoidea.
 25. The composition of claim 19, wherein theecdysteroid is at least partially incorporated into the lipidic phase ofthe hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes.
 26. The compositionof claim 25, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between0.001 and 30% by weight of said lipidic phase.
 27. The composition ofclaim 25, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between0.01 and 10% by weight of said lipidic phase.
 28. A phytosanitarycomposition comprising hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomescontaining at least one ecdysteroid in a concentration ranging between0.0001 and 5% by weight of the composition.
 29. The composition of claim28, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between 0.0005and 1% by weight of the composition.
 30. The composition of claim 28,wherein the ecdysteroid is selected from the group consisting ofecdysterone, an acylated ecdysterone, an hydroxylated ecdysterone, adeoxyecdysterone, α-ecdysone, 2-deoxyecdysone and a β-ecdysone acetate.31. The composition of claim 28, wherein the ecdysteroid is selectedfrom the group consisting of ecdysterone, β-ecdysone-2-acetate,β-ecdysone-3-acetate, β-ecdysone-2,3-diacetate,β-ecdysone-2,3,22-triacetate, β-ecdysone-2,3,22,25-tetraacetate,5-hydroxyecdysterone, and 2-deoxyecdysterone.
 32. The composition ofclaim 28, wherein the ecdysteroid is ecdysterone.
 33. The composition ofclaim 28, wherein the ecdysteroid is extracted from a plant selectedfrom the group consisting of Polypodium vulgare, Ajuga decumbens, andCyanotis arachnoidea.
 34. The composition of claim 28, wherein theecdysteroid is at least partially incorporated into the lipidic phase ofthe hydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes.
 35. The compositionof claim 34, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between0.001 and 30% by weight of said lipidic phase.
 36. The composition ofclaim 34, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid ranges between0.01 and 10% by weight of said lipidic phase.
 37. A method forregenerating the cutaneous structure, comprising applying to the area ofthe skin to be treated, in an amount sufficient to regenerate thecutaneous structure, a composition comprising hydrated lipidic lamellarphases or liposomes containing at least one ecdysteroid in aconcentration ranging between 0.001 and 5% by weight of the composition.38. The method of claim 37, for producing an anti-wrinkling effect onthe skin.
 39. The method of claim 37, for producing a cicatrizing effecton the skin.
 40. The method of claim 37, for producing an anti-agingeffect on the skin.
 41. The method of claim 37, for producing a toniceffect on the hair.
 42. The method of claim 37, wherein the ecdysteroidis selected from the group consisting of ecdysterone, an acylatedecdysterone, an hydroxylated ecdysterone, a deoxyecdysterone,α-ecdysone, 2-deoxyecdysone and a β-ecdysone acetate.
 43. The method ofclaim 37, wherein the ecdysteroid is selected from the group consistingof ecdysterone, β-ecdysone-2-acetate, β-ecydysone-3acetate,β-ecdysone-2,3-diacetate, β-ecdysone-2,3,22-triacetate,β-ecdysone-2,3,22,25-tetraacetate, 5-hydroxyecdysterone, and2-deoxyecdysterone.
 44. The method of claim 37, wherein the ecdysteroidis at least partially incorporated into the lipidic phase of thehydrated lipidic lamellar phases or liposomes.
 45. The method of claim44, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid in the lipidic phaseranges between 0.001 and 30% by weight of said lipidic phase.
 46. Themethod of claim 44, wherein the concentration of the ecdysteroid in thelipidic phase ranges between 0.01 and 10% by weight of said lipidicphase.